Shepparton prodigy set for Sydney adventure with sights on Socceroos stardom
Shepparton soccer prodigy Joseph Shay is set to compete for Victoria at the Emerging Socceroos Championships in Sydney after signing for Melbourne Victory.
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A towering centre-back by trade, the teenager is tipped for the top after catching the eye in recent years with his cultured displays. Demonstrating a command of the game beyond his tender years, the defender combines aerial prowess with outstanding technical ability on the ground.
The 15-year-old’s continuing rise in the game comes after first impressing for Shepparton South Soccer Club, where he was named best and fairest in both 2022 and 2023.
His talent did not go unnoticed among SJSA league chiefs either, who also named him player of the season.
The starlet’s love for the beautiful game developed organically, having first picked up the sport alongside schoolmates.
“My love for the game really started at school with a few mates and they were all at Shepp South at the time. I got involved with them and the coaches really helped push me and find out my strengths and weaknesses. I started to enjoy the game there, ” he said.
From that point onwards, the youngster’s upward career trajectory has showed no sign of slowing.
It was not long before he caught the eye of the GV Suns Academy and he assumed the captain’s armband for the under-13 side under the tutelage of coach David Davkovski - who he credits as a major influence on his career to-date.
“Taking the captaincy was a big moment as I think that’s when I really started to gain confidence.
“My coach, David Davkovski, was got the best out of me [by] setting expectations. He saw what I had in me and brought it out,” he said.
Following successful campaigns in the Shepp Cup (2022) and the McDonald’s City Cup (2024), he also represented the Football Victoria Country Team at under-13 level in 2024.
This provided a springboard for the prospect, who was identified and invited to trial for the Football Victoria Academy last year. He was successfully selected — notably the only country player chosen — and competed in both the under-14 and under-15 squads, travelling to Melbourne four times per week to train and play.
“I didn’t know what to expect going into it,” he said.
“It was my first time in a situation like that with five or six trials.
“I didn’t know if I was going to make it in until the final few trials when I felt more confident how I was playing and enjoying it.”
Subsequently, the teenager’s dreams were realised when he was offered a position with Melbourne Victory ahead of the 2025-26 season.
Demonstrating his promise, the boy from Shepparton is emerging as a standout prospect at the club as he targets turning professional in the coming years.
“They have really good pathways and never hold players back if they’re ready to go up an age group. More recently, I’ve been training with the under-18s and 23s,” he said.
“It’s has definitely become part of my routine but at the same time, in the first year there were a lot of struggles in terms of balancing football with school and social life as well.
“I love the training, it’s the best part of my day.”
Fast forward to now and Joseph is currently preparing his bow at the Emerging Socceroos Championships after a successful trial. As part of the under-15 boys Victorian Country Team, he will be hoping to impress at the tournament in Sydney next month.
“I think that’s gonna be one of the highlights of my career so far, especially representing the state and going through it with kids who are in a similar position to me,” he said, as he looked forward to what promises to be a major landmark in his journey on the field.
“The ultimate dream is to be my own player, I’d like to feel I’m a bit different to the other kids in Melbourne and I’d love to make my own name for myself.”
Dad Luke beamed with pride as he looked ahead to his son representing Victoria and described going above and beyond in order to help his boy realise his ambitions of one day appearing for his country at senior level.
“My wife and I are incredibly proud of Joseph and his dedication. He’s highly motivated and always pushing us - up early and packed and ready to hit the road,” he said.
“Last year, we must have done 150 trips to Melbourne and this year between 150 and 200. It’s a pretty significant effort from us travelling as myself and my wife are obviously working.
“It’s all about helping him live out his dreams. We see a lot of potential in him.
“He once told his coach that he wants to progress to the Socceroos and eventually take things overseas.”
The prospect’s dad is now hopeful that a local Shepparton business may look to sponsor Joseph as he prepares for the next chapter in his budding career.
“It’s a big commitment and down the track we’d love to look towards a local sponsor such as a business that would like to support an Emerging Socceroo we’d be keen to chat with them,” he said.
Alongside Australia’s other leading young soccer talents, the defender will take to the field at the Emerging Socceroos Championships between April 18-24 at Valentine Sports Park.
Previously, the championships provided a launchpad into international soccer for future household names including Mackenzie Arnold, Jordan Bos, Kyra Cooney-Cross, Emily van Egmond, Charlotte Grant, Josh Nisbet, Hayley Raso and Kye Rowles.